Combined shaft-support and thill-coupling.



Patnted June 27, I899.

w. E. uu-nakaem, GQMB'INEDT SHAFT SUPPORT AND THI'LL COUPLING.

(Apglipation Med. May 17,, 1899.). 201 amm- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

WILLIAM E. MURBARGER, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

COMBINED SHAFT SUPPIORT AND THlLL-COUPLINGQ SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 627,939, dated June 27, 1899. Application filed May 17, 1899- Serial No. 717,200. (No model.)

The object of this invention is to providecertain improvements in the combined shaftsupport and thin-coupling set forthin myprior patent, dated April 24, 189i, and numbered 5l8.763,the said improvements being designed to add materially to the effectiveness and durability of the device.

The present invention therefore contemplates certain improvements in the details of construction of the parts constituting the device shown in the aforesaid patent, relating particularly to the locking-plate for the pivotbolt and means for holding said locking-plate in place; also, to the tension-plate carrying the spring shaft-support and to the means of connecting the flanged presser-roller to the Spring.

The following specification enters into a detail description of the application of the improvements and their practical advantages, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to letters thereon, which designate the different parts, and what I desire to protect by Letters Patent is more specifically set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawings which form a part of this specification, Figure l is a perspective view of the improved shaft-support and thill-coupling. Fig. 2 is a front elevation ofthe shaftsupporting spring and its roller. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the tension-plate and locking-plate carried thereby. Fig. 4 is a side view of the tension-plate.

Referring to said drawings, A designates the axle-clip,which is provided with the usual apertured ears a a, between which the eye I) of the thill-iron B is placed and pivotally supported by a bolt or pin C.

D designatesthe tension-plate, which'is provided with the curved neck d, adapted to fit against the rear portion of the eye of the thilliron, and also withthe opposite shoulders d d, which will contact with the ears a and prevent an upward movement of the tensionplate. The outer side of the depending portion or body of this tension-plate is provided at one side, near the edge, with a series of apertures or holes d and as these holes tend 6 of the coil is passed into engagement with.

Instead of any one of the series of holes d providing the spring shaft-support witha double bend, as shown and described in my prior patent referred to, the said spring or arm of the same is gradually curved, as shown in the accompanying drawings, giving a neater appearance to the device. By so curving the arm the bent outer end e will be brought in proper position with respect to the shaft and the flanged roller F, which is journaled on said bent end, will engage the shaft. This roller is held upon the bent end of the spring by threading the terminal of the latter and screwing a washer thereon, the washer being of sufficient thickness to permit it to receive a. threaded aperture, it being understood, of course, that the threads on the spring terminate so that the washer will not be brought against the flanged roller to jam it against the arm of the spring, said roller serving principally as an antifricti on device, while the flanges or heads insure a positive en gagement of the shaft-support with the'shaft. The tension of the spring shaft-support can be increased or diminished by turning the coiled portion, the adjustment being held by engaging the bent end 6 with one of the apertures or holes d in the tension-plate, and the annular boss on said tension-plate will properly support the coil and increase the efficiency of the spring.

To provide for positively supporting the lockin g-plate G in engagement with the pivotbolt of the thill-coupling, a lug his formed on the arm of the tension-plate, said lug being so positioned as to support the end of theplate opposite that through which the retainingscrew '5 passes. In my prior patent referred to the said plate was supported only by the screw and nut, and when a single bolt-retaining flange g was provided the locking-plate was liable to drop down out of engagement should the nut become loose. Thus the application of the supporting-lug to the tensionplate, which carries the locking-plate, will more securely hold said locking-plate in place.

The improvements herein shown and described have suggested themselves after many practical applications of my combined shaftsupport and thill-coupling, and in order to more fully protect my invention hat I desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. A combined shaft-support and thill-coupling, comprising the tension-plate having the curved bearing-neck and formed with the annular boss and series of perforations extending partly around said boss, the spring shaftsupport having a coiled portion encircling the annular boss and a bent end adapted to en gage the perforations, the arm of the spring being curved and carrying a roller at its outer end which contacts with the under side of the shaft, substantially as shown and for the purpose set forth.

2. A combined shaft-support and thill-coupling, comprising the tension-plate having the curved bearing-neck and formed with the annular boss, series of perforations extending partly around said boss, and reinforcing-boss at the rear side of the plate; the spring shaftsupport having a coiled portion encircling the annular boss and a bent end adapted to enwith the curved neck, annular boss, series of adj ustin g-apertures and reinforcing-boss the spring shaft-support having the coiled portion encircling the annular boss and bent end adapted to engage the perforations, the arm of the spring being curved laterally and providedat its outer end with a bend forming a pintle having a threaded extremity; together with the flanged roller mounted on the pintle, and the threaded washer engaging the threaded end of said pintle, substantially as shown and for the purpose set forth.

a. The combination with the tension-plate, arranged as set forth, of the locking-plate secured thereto immediately below the coupling-joint by a screw passing through a slot in said plate, the locking-plate having a boltretaining flange; together with the'lug formed on the tension-plate below one end of the locking-plate, substantially as shown and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I atfix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM E. MURBARGER- \Vitnesses:

PAUL KLEIN, MYRTLE E. PRATHER. 

